Alex Dowsett wins the Verulam Open 25

BRADLEY Wiggins may have been making history as the first Brit to triumph in the Tour de France on Sunday, but it was his Team Sky colleague Alex Dowsett who took the honours on the same day at the Verulam Cycling Club's prestigious Open 25.

A host of the country's top time triallists joined Dowsett as they descended on the A1 for the competition made extra special due to it being Jubilee year, as the club celebrated 50 continuous years of running the event.

The day was a great success with near perfect weather conditions, a strong turn out from the best in British time thrialling and a well organised and marshalled event brought about a great morning of time trialling.

The superb organisation was matched by the high standard of those taking part, as the field took to the road to contest the prize list of £2,000 with a first prize of £500 provided by sponsors, including the main sponsor Rock & Road Cycles of St Albans.

On the day itself it was Dowsett of Team Sky Pro Cycling, fresh from the Tour of Poland, who was to set the standard.

He set the best time on the day of 47 mins 31 sees.

He was pushed hard by Matt Botrill (Drag2Zero), the 100mile National Champion, who came in at 49mins 33secs, and Andrew Wilkinson (Port Sunlight Wheelers) who set a personal best over 25 miles of 51mins 17secs.

The best time on the day in the ladies invitation category was Clare Ella, who rode a time of 1 hr 03mins 23secs.

The winners of the open Event were separated by just 19 seconds: Lee Turner (Sigma Sport) time - 54.24, Peter Lawrence (Club MDT) 54.33, Andrew Halliday (Wester¬ley CC) 54.51, Peter Dixon (Willesden CC) 54.33 and Howard Waller (Oxford City CC) 55.13. Jill Wilkinson (Port Sunlight Wheelers) set the fastest time for the ladies in the Open Event.

In the face of this challenge the local riders put on a good showing, with the Verulam Cycling Club putting in a very respectable showing.

The club ran its 48th consecutive open 25 mile time trial this year on 25th July.

The event held on course F1/25 going north attracted an entry of 101 riders, far higher than many other opens in the area.

The day was cool and dry with what little wind there was as a headwind on the return leg.

Fastest time of the day went to Sam Barker of Planet X RT with an impressive time of 52.08 with the team prize going to Team MK in 2.47.09. The fastest vet was Ian Cammish in 53.17.

Best lady was the evergreen Carole Gandy in a time of 1.00.43.

As he has done for many years in the past, Eric Marsh of PCA Ciclos Uno won the vet's best on standard with a plus of 25.59 on a trike.

To maintain the tradition a prize went to the 48th rider to finish who was Dave Wentworth of Team Sales Engine in 1.01.11.

Notable performance were done by Verulam members, some of whom were riding their first 25 mile TT. Verulam finishers as follows:

John Hall 59.10 - best for many years

Mike Jubb 1.00.02 - just needed another 3 seconds!

Ian Brazier 1.00.49 - a good ride from a consistent performer

Paul Williams 1.01.26 - terrific first ride

Matt Reader 1.01.27 - a fine first 25

Richard Marriot 1.01.30 - good ride and so close

Nick Coe1.03.15 - a good ride and PB from a consistent perfomer

Sam Skuce 1.06.03 - best ride this year at this distance

Danielle Garden 1.06.45 - a really good first 25

Peter McDermott 1.10.40 - first 25 will cetainly improve on this soon

James O'Neil 1.11.14 - a satisfying first 25

It just leaves me to say a huge thank you to the team of helpers, time keepers, marshals, pushers off, refreshment crew, results board scribe and others who rallied round at short notice to make this event the success it was. Quite a classic in the local TT scene.